A miracle had struck when Krishant abruptly left in the middle of the torture session, yet he called it therapy. Whatever his emergency was, Priyanka felt beyond relief that he was gone and left her untrammelled too. The sociopath would have killed her. She thought for a second that he went to get something more egregious to torture her, but after he did not return after ten minutes, Priyanka could conclude that he was actually gone.

His intentions were clear. He might not kill Priyanka now – he would keep her for later. Then why did he leave her untied? Will he actually let her go after everything he told her? He did not assert any intention to let her go anyway. What were his plans?

With her willpower in tatters and her body spinning, Priyanka rises from the unforgiving chair. As she gazes around, the state of the space astonishes her with its surreal mess. Her faltering footsteps would have been aimless if not for the assistance of the moving wall. The corridors, with their damp and frigid atmosphere, serve as a stark reminder of her challenging circumstances.

Is this the same basement filled with masterpieces once?

Without almost crawling, she reentered the glorious mansion, and her fear erupted at the thought of Krishant still in the house. She would not be able to outrun him in this state. The garage door could be an easy escape if it is unlocked. She thought before proceeding towards it. She would quietly whimper while limping, cursing hell for unleashing the devil after her. Krishant was no different than the devil himself. Maybe he is a reincarnation of Lucifer himself?

Miraculously, the garage door was outspread unexpectedly, with one car missing out of four. Why did Krishant alone need that many cars?

Priyanka froze, realizing the need to stop and think. She retreated into the house before slowly surveilling the hallways from the corner. The house was ghostly-quiet. Inaudibly, she moved to the nearest room, the kitchen, before she was sure Krishant was absent from the home. With newfound courage, she slumps back onto the lounging chair as dizziness falls heavily upon her while her stomach grumbles. Her stomach still only cared for food with everything going on. A sarcastic chuckle escapes her mouth at the silly thought, and she pries into the fridge to get some fruits to munch on while beating some eggs.

She cleans herself and treats her wounds with hands still trembling from the impacts of trauma while debating her next move. She could not do much with herself. The fear of the owner returning and confining her again kept creeping up her mind, but she couldn't move without treating herself at least fifty per cent of the damage.

It would be too risky to face Krishant simply as her body was nowhere near healing; she needed a plan and a strong counterpart. Surviving was her priority, and not fighting him. He had hidden his crimes well enough for anyone to suspect him, so who would believe her? She thought sorely, and cleansed her wounds as much as she could with the help of her weak body, got dressed, gulped some painkillers, and picked up her packed bags. Krishant would take time wherever he is as she concluded it and decided to take full advantage of the thoughtful fact. With an idea in mind and adrenaline pumping her actions, she called a taxi for herself as no way in hell she could drive.

She glanced at the street that would take her to her family but passed on the idea of meeting them before finishing the task. It would be too risky to relax already. Priyanka was bewildered by her own unusual serenity as if she knew what she was doing. It was a simple instinct to stay calm to prevail in her plan while a surreal feeling overcame her. A focused mind was all she needed. If she could outlive the torture sessions, then giving a try to survive luck did not sound like a bad idea. She could not think about anyone else at the moment, and the idea of living more did not sound selfish either.

If Krish could kill, then I can definitely try to live.

With a sharp turn and a few blocks more, the driver stopped at another prominent three-story residence. With a perplexed look, the driver accepted the cash she had stolen from his cabinet.

He will get over it.

The brown-stoned residence in front of her could not outshine the glorious mansion she escaped from, but it shredded more vibes of warm welcoming than the gruesome white mansion. It looked alive and trendy.

The wide porch encircled the house, connecting to a gazebo. The curtains were drawn upon the picture windows on a dying afternoon, but she could still make out the outlines of the illuminated chandelier of the parlour.

She hesitated no longer and rang the ring video doorbell. A male voice questioned her purpose for entering the residence and her name.

"I am Priyanka Nair. I want to see Mr. Rane"

The voice asks if she has an appointment.

"No. But please, it's an emergency. I-I need his help. I am in danger." she almost cried.

A door opens a few moments later by an elderly butler in traditional attire. He must have seen her appearance through the camera as concern plastered onto his wrinkled face. He could assert Priyanka's honesty about being in danger by her busted face. "Sahib is not home, but I'll allow you in."

Priyanka limps through the threshold while muttering her gratefulness. "When can I meet him?"

"In two hours. He has stepped out for a meeting. You can wait inside."

"No problem." It was indeed problematic to wait for that long. She should be in the hospital for treatment, but considering her desperation, Priyanka decided not to leave the premises before meeting Kirtan Rane, the Governor of the State.

He is the current Governor of the city, who took over after the Sanghvi heir abandoned the family legacy. Unfortunately, he is also Ruby's husband. Despite being married, Ruby still clung to Krishant, threatening people around to leave Krishant alone as if she owned him.

Judging by their secret relationship, they're most probably hiding their love affair because which husband would allow his wife to have sex with her ex-stepson? Ruby and Kirtan had not procured any child of their own despite being married for over a year. Obviously, the woman was addicted to power and money, and hence her reason for marrying Kirtan Rane was the same. Krishant never loved her, so he had no objection to her marriage either.

Priyanka hoped she wouldn't regret meeting Kirtan after all. The butler returned with some coffee as Priyanka had requested. "I have informed Sahib about your presence. Would you like something else, Ms. Naik?"

"No. Thank you."

"My name is Nath. You can call me if you need anything." Priyanka nods and asks for some bandaids. Krishant's first-aid kit didn't have enough bandages, and lingering more at his mansion sounded risky.

Nath provides her with her needs, "May I assist you?" His generosity surprises Priyanka as she quickly suppresses a no.

"You don't have to worry about me. Thank you for everything."

"I don't mind, Miss Naik."

"Please call me Priya."

"Alright." He should have left after that, but he couldn't as he watched her struggling with the ointments as her hands trembled. "You know I have a granddaughter similar to your age, and I'd hate for anything to happen to her. Mind if I ask what happened to you, Priya?"

Instant sorrow fills her core at the old man's soft voice. She had a grandfather once, and he resembled the old butler personality-wise. Nath noticed tears welling up in her swollen eyes before they poured down her bruised-up face. She couldn't tell him about her torture.

Nath understood her silence, as well as her tears. They were fulsomely sorrowful.

"Something bad, Nath." She quietly replies, "I-I...know something terrible, and I want Mr. Rane's help."

"Rest assured. You came to the right place. He is the wisest man I've ever met." Nath smiles in reassurance. "Let me tell you one more thing, Priya. I think you are a brave person. Whatever happened to you, you don't seem to have loosened your hope. You are willing to trust and fight. I want you to believe in that willingness."

Whether they were words of encouragement or pity, Priyanka couldn't tell, but she needed them. "Thanks."

Two hours later, the afternoon had passed, letting the evening settle in instead. Priyanka was adjusted into the guest room, hidden from the searching and questing eyes. Two hours were enough for resting and treating most of the bruises and slashes, but she still needed more professional help. Edmund insisted on calling a doctor for her, but it seemed too troublesome to her.

Nath suddenly announced Kirtan Rane's arrival.

Her anticipation was over. Her thirst for justice would be over now. Krishant could be strong, but not more than Kirtan Rane. He couldn't possibly hurt a man in power. Krishant wouldn't dare.

A tall man in his forties entered the room as he owned it. With natural poise, he was a handsome man in a white kurta radiating a strict business face. Kirtan Rane was a man of few words, known for his savviness. He quickly assesses Priyanka with unnoticeable eyes before settling on one of the fancy chairs, accompanied by Nath.

"Hello, Sir. My name is Priyanka Naik."

"Good evening, Miss Naik. Nath told me everything about your arrival. Tell me, how may I help you?" He leans forward with a curious stare.

"Thank you so much for meeting me and for your great hospitality, Sir. I am very grateful."

"It's my duty." Priyanka felt peace surfacing in her anxious being. Kirtan had a peaceful aura and a favourable personality. He was always true to his words.

Priyanka looked at the standing the obedient butler. "Nath, please leave us alone." He left while closing the door on his way out. "Please feel free, Miss Naik."

Priyanka felt unburdened and told him everything. Kirtan intently listened without interrupting her even once. He gave away nothing when Priyanka brought up Ruby in her narration and that worried Priyanka. How would she know what he was thinking without showing any reaction? She also managed to talk about her traumatic experience just a few hours ago without withdrawing away.

"That's it, Mr. Rane. That's all that happened." She concludes with a sigh. She hoped he would believe her.

Kirtan was silent for the following five minutes, "You know I met Ruby five years ago," he said without looking at her, "Courted her for as long as I could and finally married her a year ago. I discovered her obsession with Krishant Sanghvi a few months ago. She never loved me, didn't even try, but I stayed with hope that she'd return my love someday. I didn't know she was capable of murdering or hurting someone for love." He sounded broken at the end, and Priyanka pitied the man.

"You don't believe me, Mr. Rane."

With a firm voice, "I believe every word you say, Miss Naik."

____________